Fish and forestry

You might be surprised to hear that we take an active role in looking after fish. Forests are so much more than trees. They shape the health of rivers, streams and lochs, creating habitats for fish to thrive in. 

Scotland’s freshwater fish are extremely important animals. They put millions of pounds into fragile rural economies, through angling or from tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of a leaping salmon.

From managing riparian zones to restoring spawning grounds, our work prioritises Scotland’s freshwater ecosystems. But this wasn’t always the case.

In the past, forestry and fishery management were often in conflict. Rivers were treated as an inconvenience to industrial forestry. 

Poor planning and an industrial approach to forestry affected water quality. Sediment from ploughing, planting and harvesting washed into the rivers, damaging spawning grounds.

In some areas, whole rivers were diverted, dammed or dredged to float logs down to sawmills. Elsewhere, trees were planted too close to the edge in the riparian zone, causing deep shade and excess leaf litter and upsetting the fragile aquatic ecosystem.

While fish were the biggest victims, so too were the many species of birds and animals that fed on them.

One of the most critically endangered species that benefits from the restored riparian zone is the freshwater pearl mussel. More than half the world’s viable populations live in Scottish rivers. But even here numbers have been declining. Sedimentation, pollution and even pearl fishing have all combined to threaten this species.

Prompted by the decline of many iconic wildlife species, such as the Atlantic salmon, and the loss of important habitats, we now work in close partnership with fishery managers. When we prepare forest plans, we always speak to local stakeholders. We prioritise the watercourses most important for fishery conservation.

We’re also working with neighbours and conservation bodies on major habitat restoration schemes. We’re making everyday changes to the way we work:

• regularly monitoring water quality
• reducing the amount of sediment that gets into watercourses when we’re felling
• replanting or building forest roads